How To Complete The College Readiness Math Mooc

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1 College Readiness Math MOOC Instructor Information: Dr. Jennifer Kosiak, General Mathematics Department, University of Wisconsin- La Crosse Description: The College Readiness Math MOOC (Massive Open Online Course) is an online program designed to enhance your mathematics skills in the areas of algebra and geometry. This MOOC is designed to help develop the skills needed to be successful in college mathematics.. Course Goals: Enhance algebraic knowledge and skills in areas related to Ratios and Proportional Relationships, Expressions and Equations, Geometry, and solving a variety of equations and inequalities Connect with others participants through online review sessions Determine college mathematics readiness Course Material: This online course will be conducted through the Desire2Learn (D2L) Open Course Learning Environment. Course materials may be accessed via the following link: To access the course for the first time on or after the specified start date, select the College Readiness Math MOOC icon and create a login account by selecting the registration button. The next time to use this link, you can access the course by entering in this login information at the top of the page. Diagnostic Test: Before the online program officially begins, participants are asked to complete an online diagnostic test (pre- test). At the end of the program, a similar diagnostic test will be given. These tests are used to show participant growth over the course as well as provide information related to college mathematics readiness. Course Overview: The Math MOOC is comprised of 10 modules that have been aligned to specific learning objectives. These modules all have similar components as outlined below. The course components are also designed for you to select the learning tools that are best suited to your needs. Although it is highly recommended that you examine all course components below, each component (excluding the module quiz) is optional. Introductory video (Minute of Math) Lecture PowerPoints and podcasts Learning objects (LOs) (online homework) Online Review Sessions (See schedule on the course home page) Quiz There are 10 modules in this course. Each module allows you to interact with the course content through the components listed above. All course content has been developed by the Math MOOC instructional team in order to scaffold your understanding of key mathematical concepts and skills aligned with college readiness. The course components are also designed for you to select the learning tools that are best suited to your needs. The course components are also constructed to enhance course interactivity. These components include an interactive question in each of the introductory videos, self- check questions in each of the learning objectives, and automated feedback on the homework. You may also attend online review sessions (see the schedule on the course home page) where you can work synchronously with online math tutors to Page 1

2 further support your learning. You may interact with others during these online review sessions. The Discussions area offers asynchronous assistance and peer dialogue about particular modules. If you have a question relating to the course content or course components, please review FAQs, the posts in the discussions area, or mathmooc@uwlax.edu. Assessment: In order to meet the course objectives (see below), it is recommended that you complete the module components listed above. The mandatory quizzes are designed to measure your progress towards the stated module learning objectives. To move on to the next module you must score at least 75% on the module quiz. These assessment instruments are constructed to assess your understanding of the course material and you will have unlimited opportunities to demonstrate your mastery of the specified learning objectives for each module. As such, the answers related to the quiz items will not be provided. If you want feedback regarding these assessment instruments, please visit the online review sessions or mathmooc@uwlax.edu. Upon completion of this course, you will receive a certificate for your level of achievement based on your total quiz scores (specific criteria are provided below in the Grades and Certificate Section). Course Objectives: Upon completion of this course, students will be able to: Module 1: Fractions, Ratios, and Percents Perform operations with real numbers Use rates, ratios, and percents to solve real- world and mathematical problems Module 2: Geometry and Measurement Use measurement formulas to model and solve geometric problems Solve problems involving special triangles including the relationship between sides and angles of these special triangles Apply the Pythagorean s Theorem to solve real- world and mathematical problems related to right triangles Solve problems involving geometric figures using the distance and midpoint formulas Module 3: Solving Linear Equations, Inequalities, and Absolute Value Create and solve linear equations and inequalities in one variable related to real- world and mathematical problems Solve equations and inequalities involving the absolute value Module 4: Graphing Linear Equations Graph linear equations in two variables Construct the equation of a line in point- slope and slope- intercept form to solve real- world and mathematical problems Determine the relationship between the slopes of parallel and perpendicular lines Module 5: Systems of Linear Equations Solve systems of equations algebraically and graphically related to real- world and mathematical problems Module 6: Exponents and Radicals Apply the laws of exponents to simplify expressions involving to rational exponents and solve problems involving scientific notation Apply the properties of radicals to simplify expressions involving square roots Module 7: Polynomial Operations Perform operations with polynomial expressions Identify a relationship between two quantities that satisfies the definition of a function Use function notation to analyze mathematical situations Module 8: Factoring Factor polynomial expressions including quadratic expressions Page 2

3 Module 9: Solving Quadratic Equations Apply factoring concepts and the quadratic formula to solving quadratic equations related to real- world and mathematical problems Module 10: Rational Expressions Simplify rational expressions Add, subtract, multiply, and divide rational expressions Pacing: The course is designed to (1) allow you to move at your own pace and (2) provide you with the support that you need to achieve your goals. The course is typically available for 16 weeks. Many of you are planning to proceed at a pace that will allow you to complete this course within a six or seven week time period. For those of you that are not planning to finish as quickly, you do not need to attempt to keep up with the others (there is no penalty for moving at a slower pace). The following schedule provides a general timeline for pacing of the course. The pacing is similar to that found in a college mathematics course. Course materials can be accessed at any time during the 16- week period. Sample Schedule Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday 1 Introduction Module with Pre- Diagnostic Test 2 Module Module Quiz Module 10 Module 1 3 Quiz Module 4 6 Quiz Module 7 8 Quiz Module 9 Module 2 Quiz Module 3 5 Quiz Module 6 Module 10 Quiz Module 1 Quiz 4 Quiz Module7 Quiz Module 8 Diagnostic Test Page 3

4 Grades & Certificates: This course is intended to better prepare participants to engage in college level mathematics. There are no college credits offered through UW- La Crosse for this course. Participants will receive a certificate for the following achievements based on total quiz score grades: Certificate of Highest Honors: % Certificate of Honors: % Certificate of Achievement: % Certificate of Participation: % Certificates will be ed to participants within two weeks of completing the course. Desire2Learn Tools: The College Readiness Math MOOC operates on the Desire2Learn (D2L) Open Courses platform. Below are the tools in the course, how we will be using them, and expectations associated with each. Please take time to acclimate yourself to the tools. Button Description You Should Course Home Agenda: Used to post day- to- day course details Check the Agenda regularly, ideally every time you log- in to the course for items such as the status of and directions for assignments, discussions and content; additional information or summaries are posted as needed; this feature is used instead of all- class s so you can find all information in one location. Content Introduction Module Contains information about the course, including the course syllabus. Please take time to read it, understand it, refer back to it, and ask questions about it if you have them! Discussions Quizzes Grades Online Review Sessions Modules: Contain the module lectures, learning objects, links to discussion forums,, and all other links for each module. Categorized discussions will be an area for class discussion and collaboration amongst participants. Used to release course quizzes and pre- /post- diagnostic tests. This is the section where grades from quizzes will be entered. This is a location where online review sessions will take place. Check this area at the start of each module and check back to the resources while completing assignments and quizzes. Check discussion frequently to read and respond to posts. These discussions will allow for participants to connect with individuals of similar interest and background. Click this area when the course schedule indicates a quiz or diagnostic test. Check this section regularly to review grades. Throughout the course, there may be online review sessions scheduled to receive synchronous assistance from mathematics tutors. These scheduled office hours do not need to be attended in their entirety. Participants are encouraged to attend. Page 4

5 Technical Support: There are several tutorials and handbooks about D2L listed on this website: for- students/. In addition, you can contact the Eagle Help Desk at (608) or for any questions about D2L or other technological difficulties. Technology Requirements: This online course will be conducted through the Desire2Learn Open Course Learning Environment. The following basic technology requirements are necessary: Have access to a reliable computer and high- speed internet connection. In addition, Adobe Flash Player ( is needed to view the online modules, and Java ( is needed to participate in the online review sessions. Netiquette: Netiquette is internet etiquette. Please adhere to the following class netiquette rules. Use appropriate language for an educational environment in all correspondence, participation in online review sessions, and postings on the course discussion board. Ask questions related to course content or technology issues at mathmooc@uwlax.edu. Be considerate of others in the course and respect your classmates privacy. For more information on netiquette, please review the information: Page 5